F1 CHAMP Lewis Hamilton left a mother and her four-year-old daughter badly shaken and in tears after writing off their car in a smash.

The British race ace, 24, failed to spot an oncoming Peugeot 206, driven by a woman called Anouk, as he pulled out in front of her at a junction.

Lewis hit the brakes when he saw them, but was too late to stop them ploughing into his flash Mercedes, leaving their motor badly damaged.

Anouk, 39, said she and daughter Selene were traumatised by the crash.

She said: “My legs were like jelly and Lewis was very distressed — trembling and on the verge of tears.

“He immediately asked if Selene was OK and apologised. He assumed total responsibility for the incident.

“I didn’t recognise him till the police came and said, ‘Do you know who this is? It’s Lewis Hamilton, the Formula 1 world champion’.”

Lewis, who was unhurt, comforted Anouk and signed autographs for cops at Vesenaz, a village near Geneva, Switzerland, where he lives.

He also wrote a note, saying: “I’m sorry. Best wishes, Lewis Hamilton” and later got a secretary to check Anouk was OK. The McLaren driver, in Shanghai yesterday for the Chinese Grand Prix, denied reports he had run a Stop sign at the intersection.

It is understood his insurers paid out almost immediately.

A source close to Lewis said: “He did not run a stop sign or anything. There was an awkward junction with mirrors to view oncoming traffic. He thought there was nothing coming, so he pulled out and then noticed the other car too late.

“Lewis has very much accepted responsibility.”

McLaren confirmed Lewis was involved in a “low-speed bump” last month. Geneva police said there would be no prosecution.